Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Laos from November 20-22 for the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus).
Rajnath Singh To Attend ASEAN Defence Ministers Plus Meetings
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Laos from November 20-22 for the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus). Rajnath Singh said that India faces a diverse range of security challenges, from traditional border-related threats to unconventional issues such as terrorism, cyberattacks and hybrid warfare.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh is likely to meet his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun at an event in Laos next week. Following the border patrolling agreement with China that led to disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh, Singh-Dong meeting would be the first high-level engagement between the two countries. The meeting is expected to be cordial given that troop disengagement has taken place and patrols have resumed at the last two border flashpoints of Depsang and Demchock.
Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus Ministers meetings have been held annually to bolster cooperation amongst ASEAN and the Plus countries. The ADMM-Plus is a platform for the ASEAN member states –Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam- and its eight Dialogue Partners -India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand- to strengthen security and defence cooperation.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly abbreviated as ASEAN is a political and economic union of 10 states in Southeast Asia.
The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia, Jakarta.
Free-trade agreements (FTAs)
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area
ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreements
ASEAN-India Free Trade Area
ASEAN – Japan Free Trade Area
ASEAN-Republic of Korea Free Trade Area
ASEAN – Hong Kong, China Free Trade Area
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
